Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society (MTGS)

08/29/2025

Join archaeologist Dr. Adam Fracchia for a free overview of recent archaeological discoveries in Nashville, from indigenous sites to 19th century finds. RSVP for FREE Museum admission for the event.

Click on the link to reserve your spot!
See you there!

6 PM Central - RSVP Required Join a free symposium with archaeologist Dr. Adam Fracchia for an overview of recent archaeological discoveries in Nashville, from indigenous sites to 19th century finds.

08/15/2025

Discover the heartbeat of Rutherford County’s history at the Rutherford County Archives!

Whether you're tracing your family roots, researching local landmarks, or simply curious about the stories that shaped our community, the Archives is your treasure trove of time. From 1800s court records and vintage maps to WWII scrapbooks and rare collections, this office preserves the documents that define our past—and protect our future.

Meet County Genealogist Kayla Howard and explore resources like:
- Marriage & birth records dating back to 1804
- Historic wills, tax documents, and court files
- Unique collections from local families, churches, and civic groups

Why visit? Because every name, note, and newspaper clipping tells a story—and one of them might be yours.

Located in Murfreesboro, the Rutherford County Archives welcomes researchers, historians, and curious minds alike.

435 Rice Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Phone: (615) 867-4609
archives@rutherfordcountytn.gov

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Start your journey:
https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/archives

08/13/2025

Let Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society (MTGS) help you get ready for your fall genealogy research with two online programs in August. The programs are free, but registration is required and limited.

Finding Genealogical Treasures in Manuscript Collections
presented by Chuck Sherrill
Thursday, August 21 at 7 PM CT

In this 40 minute session former State Librarian and Archivist Chuck Sherrill will show you how to search online for your ancestors in collections of letters, papers, diaries and records housed in state archives, colleges and universities, and other manuscript repositories. Using a single surname as an example, you will learn techniques you can replicate to find your own ancestor’s names.

Register for Finding Genealogical Treasures (Aug 21 at 7 PM). You will receive an email with your Zoom link to attend this program. Check your spam folder if the email is not in your inbox.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/n0Mp0xqwR7CWXLwozoBPow #/registration


Cite Your Sources: Documenting Your Research
presented by Livy Simpson

Tuesday, August 26 at 7 PM CT or Wednesday, August 27 at 11 AM CT

This quick lesson introduces participants to the information needed for a proper citation, explains the concept of citation styles, and highlights unique issues / pitfalls with genealogical citations. The presentation takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes followed by a Q&A session.

Register for Cite Your Sources (Aug 26 at 7 PM). You will receive an email with your Zoom link to attend this program. Check your spam folder if the email is not in your inbox.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Aq6VNe_yQziYd5T885YwsQ #/registration

Register for Cite Your Sources (Aug 27 at 11 AM). You will receive an email with your Zoom link to attend this program. Check your spam folder if the email is not in your inbox.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qfRyvd2pQYCo7TAQrqKRXg #/registration

08/09/2025

Why join MTGS?
The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society has been a trusted resource for family historians since 1987. Members enjoy:

- Quarterly journals and bi-monthly newsletters
- Expert-led workshops and seminars
- access to unique projects like the MTGS Bible Project

Whether you're researching ancestors or preserving family stories, MTGS connects you to tools, knowledge, and community.

Visit www.MTGS.org to become a member today!

The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society, Inc. is a non-profit genealogical organization serving the forty counties of Middle Tennessee. Since our first meeting in 1987, we have hosted two National Genealogical Society conferences and numerous one-day seminars.

08/07/2025

Williamson County Archives Spotlight

Visit the Museum—Always Free
Always Fascinating
Walk through time in a family-friendly space that celebrates the people, events, and communities that shaped the region. Admission is free, and onsite parking makes it easy to drop in.
The staff is always helpful and knowledgeable!

Williamson County Archives & Museum | Williamson County, TN - Official Site https://share.google/aTJbCkShe1D2Rv1ZX

Physical Address
611 W. Main St.
Franklin, TN 37064

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 - 4:30 PM

07/31/2025

Here are some scenes from the Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival in Granville TN this last Saturday (July 26). There were educational presentations and booths to visit. If you missed it, Granville is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Nashville. You can visit the Sutton Store and other attractions Wednesday through Saturday and you can find more information on their website.

https://www.granvilletn.com/family-history-festival

07/20/2025

On July 19, MTGS gathered at the historic Fort Negley for an unforgettable journey through time. We explored the powerful stories behind the fort’s construction in 1862 by both enslaved and free black laborers, and learned about their legacy as builders and defenders. Dr. Angela Sutton shared her extensive research that honors the lives and contributions of those who shaped Fort Negley’s history. We also heard from Gary Burke, who works at the fort and shared a moving account of his ancestor who bravely defended the site.

Want to explore these incredible stories yourself? Visit the Builders & Defenders website to learn more about the enslaved and free Black people and Union soldiers who built and protected Fort Negley.
www.Buildersanddefenders.org

If you couldn’t join us in person, we encourage you to visit Fort Negley—it’s a beautiful and deeply meaningful site where history lives and breathes. For more information,vist the Fort Negley Park website.
https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/historic-sites/fort-negley

Let us remember, honor, and share these stories. They deserve to be told.

07/19/2025

Fort Negley has the distinction if being one of only two UNESCO sites in the state of Tennessee. Hope you’ll join us today at 1 pm for our July MTGS program.

The once threatened Civil War-era fort and public park has been added to an international registry of sites significant for their association with slavery.

07/13/2025

Next MTGS Meeting, Saturday, July 19 (1:00 pm Central) will be a field trip to Fort Negley. Just a reminder to not go to our usual TSLA.

Dr. Angela Sutton and History Interpreter Gary Burke, a Fort Negley descendant, will give our program in the Visitors Center, then we'll have a guided tour of the historic fort, led by one of the Park staff

The Zoom link for the meeting is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81094873935?pwd=lgNMvLov6UXAUnJzlFkqUsja7AfaxX.1

07/05/2025

06/15/2025

Bill Carey, our speaker from May meeting, has graciously opened up registration to his summer history events to our MTGS community. (Normally it's primarily for history teachers)

06/15/2025

https://www.granvilletn.com/family-history-festival Save the date!
It's the last weekend in July. Stop by the MTGS table and enter a drawing for a free membership. And if you've never been to Granville TN, you're in for a treat!

Saturday, July 26, 2025.  This is a great opportunity to expand your genealogy research, learn more about the areas where your ancestors lived and maybe even meet a few new cousins!